Kurenai was just a young rookie fresh out of the ninja academy. After seeing the jutsu's effects differ so drastically from her expectations, she felt a chill in her heart. She was sure the Naraku Ken no Jutsu (Technique of the Underworld Gaze) had worked, but the results were far from what she anticipated. This left her bewildered and deeply impressed by Ye Zi's formidable presence.
She looked at Ye Zi as if he were a monster.
Facing Kurenai's gaze, Ye Zi's eyes grew slightly colder. He was accustomed to such looks and didn't take them seriously. However, seeing such a look from his own student slightly displeased him. This minor displeasure didn't change his attitude.
He looked at Kurenai with a cold expression and said calmly, "As a rookie fresh from the academy, it's impressive that you've mastered this jutsu and can perform the hand seals quickly. This indicates you've put in a lot of effort. According to the records and your performance, your talent in illusion techniques is quite good."
Rarely, Ye Zi gave Kurenai an objective evaluation, which was enough to make the young girl happy.
Kurenai was indeed pleased and momentarily forgot how much she disliked Ye Zi.
"But," Ye Zi continued, "the measure of a strong illusion ninja isn't about the strength of the jutsu or the type of jutsu mastered, but the technique itself. I've fought many illusion ninjas. Most of them were weak, but I've also encountered a few skilled ones, and their common trait was their subtle technique."
"A technique is the true standard for assessing an illusion ninja's strength. From now on, you'll have three hours of practical training every day. I won't fight back; your task is to make me fall under your illusion."
"I don't need your jutsu to be exceptionally powerful. I only need you to be able to cast illusions without the enemy noticing."
"I'll give you one week. If you can't make me fall under your illusion by then, you'll have to return to the academy for another year."
Ye Zi spoke extensively, leaving Kurenai stunned. She hadn't expected the Ye Zi she found so unpleasant could say such things, displaying the basic qualities of a team leader. Most importantly, his final statement, though delivered lightly, was extremely strict.
Ye Zi was a top Konoha jonin known for his speed. Even if he was lenient, it would be nearly impossible for someone with Kurenai experience to reach that level of proficiency in just one week.
In the Hokage Office:
Hiruzen watched the interaction between Ye Zi and Kurenai with his clairvoyant technique, a look of surprise on his face. He was amazed that Ye Zi, who had previously dismissed illusions, could make such a statement. Clearly, he wasn't as lacking in that area as he seemed.
"Even if Kurenai Yuhi's talent in illusions is exceptional, one week is still… This really was Orochimaru's style" Hiruzen massaged his temples. He didn't want Kurenai to be sent back to the academy for another year, but once the students were assigned to a team leader, even the Hokage couldn't easily intervene.
The Training Field:
Kurenai was still inexperienced and quite confident that she could make Ye Zi fall under her illusion within a week, especially with her father's reputation backing her up.
She looked at Ye Zi and nodded firmly, even though she was aware of the heavy price of failure. She didn't want to be underestimated by Ye Zi.
"Hmph, just you wait. I'll make you regret this!" Kurenai clenched her tiny fists. Facing a target that wouldn't fight back, the pressure was relatively small.
Seeing Kurenai agree, Ye Zi nodded slightly and said, "You can start today or tomorrow."
In Ye Zi's mind, having an illusion ninja in the team was a good idea. It would enhance their combat effectiveness. With Ye Zi's assassination skills, Guy's taijutsu, his own formidable presence, and the unexpected element of illusions, this setup would be ideal. If Kurenai also knew medical ninjutsu, it would be even better.
Thinking this, if Kurenai could pass the test, Ye Zi wouldn't mind spending a bit more time and sending her to the medical department for training.
Unaware of his thoughts, Kurenai decided to start the training today and said to Ye Zi, "Let's start today!"
"Alright." Ye Zi nodded.
Training Begins
Despite not using his Lightning Release and frequently initiating confrontations with Kurenai, Ye Zi didn't hold back. Even so, Kurenai's illusions rarely hit their mark. Often, as soon as she began forming hand seals, Ye Zi's kunai would be at her throat.
Kurenai's face grew increasingly troubled as she tried to predict patterns and use illusions preemptively, but to no avail. For a full hour, she was held at kunai-point almost every ten seconds. Her initial confidence evaporated, and she nearly broke down. Ye Zi's rigorous training made Kurenai understand what cruelty meant.
In a real battle, this hour would have been fatal for Kurenai, no matter how many lives she had. Exhausted and drained of chakra, she finally couldn't bear it anymore and sat down crying loudly. After more than an hour of relentless torment, her confidence and pride from the academy were shattered. It was then that she realized how weak she was. The self-assurance she once had was nothing compared to the reality.
"Wah…"
Her mindset completely crumbled, and she cried uncontrollably. This cute little girl sitting on the ground, sobbing like this, was heart-wrenching to witness.
However, Ye Zi just stood by coldly, showing no intention of comforting her.
If it was only this level of difficulty, no matter how good her illusion talent was, she was unlikely to succeed. Ye Zi's strictness was even beyond what the Uchiha clan members could handle. Kurenai, in her case, was struggling.
Seeing Kurenai crying without end, Ye Zi grew increasingly impatient and said coldly, "We'll continue tomorrow at two in the afternoon." With that, he turned and left.
"You bastard! Super big bastard! Cold-blooded, heartless super big bastard!"
Watching Ye Zi leave, Kurenai's crying turned to whimpering, as she came to fully understand Ye Zi's coldness.
Rubbing her eyes fiercely, as if trying to wipe away all her tears, her eyes looked even redder.
This wasn't teaching; it was just one-sided bullying…
Not just Kurenai, but Hiruzen, who had been observing, thought the same. It was a clear case of bullying.
"What to do…" Hiruzen sighed in distress.
In fact, Hiruzen misunderstood Ye Zi. Based on the hour of training, Ye Zi hadn't taught anything, but his plan was to first make Kurenai realize her weaknesses and then highlight them through verbal criticism. He hadn't anticipated that she would cry so much.
In reality, if he had offered a few words of comfort, the outcome might have been different. If it had been Minato, the result could have been a perfect teaching example.
But Ye Zi was Ye Zi, not Minato.
After dismissing Kurenai, Ye Zi went to find Guy, who had just completed his feat.
Despite being exhausted and drenched in sweat, Guy had persevered through his training.
Ye Zi was pleased with this and saw in Guy a quality that contrasted sharply with Kurenai's—a strong will.
No matter how lacking in talent one might be, such willpower could make a great ninja in the future.
"Ye Zi… Sensei… I… I finished running!" Guy gasped, his excitement evident despite his exhaustion.
"Let's go. I'll treat you to a meal." Ye Zi smiled faintly at Guy.
"Yay! That's great!"
Hearing that Ye Zi would treat him, Guy's mood brightened instantly.
Taijutsu is nothing more than the use of strength, speed, and reflexes to support technique. After Ye Zi treated Guy to a meal twice and Ye Zi helping him to avenge his father. Guy naively revealed his Eight Gates technique.
As Guy described the Eight Gates, Ye Zi's eyes gleamed with intense interest, though Guy was too focused on his meal to notice.
Ye Zi's advantage had always been his reflexes and speed, aided by Lightning Release and his Lightning Fang technique for powerful strikes. He had no sword techniques or advanced taijutsu. Now, Guy had revealed a powerful technique like the Eight Gates…
He was thoroughly intrigued.
What if he combined Lightning Release with the Eight Gates? He couldn't imagine it, but the Eight Gates were something he had to acquire.
The drawbacks of the Eight Gates meant little to him. For his physical condition, the Eight Gates seemed custom-made.
After exhausting himself, Guy could indulge in a feast, a true joy for him.
Satisfied, Guy bid farewell to Ye Zi and went home.
Ye Zi watched Guy leave, thinking about the cost of the meal. It seemed that a taijutsu ninja's rise was closely tied to food.
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